Manchester United netted four goals on the road – including two in six minutes from Ashley Young – to see off Watford and keep the pressure on rivals Manchester City.

Anthony Martial’s fine first-half finish made it 3-0 for half-time and Jessie Lingard’s stunning second-half solo goal ensured the Reds shrugged off an attempted comeback from the Hornets.

This victory, United’s third successive win in the Premier League, reduced the gap at the top to five points, ahead of City’s game against Southampton on Wednesday night.

Jose Mourinho’s men went ahead with the first shot of the match. Having seen his deflected strike go down as an own goal against Brighton at the weekend, there was no doubt that it was Young’s goal this time. Jessie Lingard picked out fellow England international Young on the edge of the area, who sweetly hit a right-footed half volley beyond Heurelho Gomes.

A little over five minutes later, Young grabbed his and United’s second goal, a direct free-kick curled beautifully into the top left-hand corner. The chance came after Abdoulaye Doucoure brought down Paul Pogba with a combination of a shirt pull and a poorly timed tackle. Up stepped Young to punish the foul and leave the home crowd…